Posted: April 14th, 2015

Research Project: Tobacco Industry – ‘Ethics’ and ‘Profit’

 

 

Module Title	Business
Level	4
Academic Year	2014-15
Semester	1
Assessment Number	4of4
Weighting	60%
Type of Assessment	Report
Word Limit	3,000
Learning Outcomes Assessed	1,2,3,5
Additional Guidance	To include any content, theories, models, concepts, etc. not stated in the MDF.

 

 

Research project: Tobacco industry – ethics v’s profits.

 

Students will need to research and collate information from a variety of sources on the above subject, and then compare the information found, analysing the strengths and weaknesses of each source according to the criteria outlined below. Students will then summarise their research to answer the questions below, and draw conclusions as to which sources are useful and why, and when and how to best use these different sources in their research in the future. Students will need to produce a formal academic report to show their findings

 

SECTION A: RESEARCH

Answer the following questions using the variety of media sources provided throughout the module. (1,500 words)

1. Explain the meaning of the terms ‘ethics’ and ‘profits’ in the phrase ‘Tobacco industry: ethics v’s profits’?
2. Justify why do investors choose to invest in the tobacco market?
3. Evaluate which countries are the biggest emerging markets for tobacco related goods, and why?
4. Explain what recent ethical, political and economic factors may impact on future foreign investment into tobacco-based organisations? What will the extent of that impact be?
5. Identify what economic principles and theories help to explain the ‘ethics and profits’ in the tobacco market?

 

 

 

SECTION B: ANALYSE

Using the following criteria analyse the strengths and weaknesses of each type of media source you used to find the answers to Section A. Produce a table to compare the advantages and disadvantages of each source. (1,000 words)

• Differentiate how accurate is the information from each source? Is it precise and correct?
• Distinguish how reliable is the information? Is it well researched and evidenced? Is it based on fact or merely opinion?
• Distinguish how current is the information? Is it up-to-date?
• Differentiate how is the quality of the information affected by its intended target audience?
• Differentiate how useful is the information to you? Does it explain concepts you need to know or does it require additional research to understand the information presented? Does it provide you with all the details you need or does it leave gaps?

 

SECTION C: SUMMARISE AND CONCLUDE

Use the questions below to produce a concise summary and conclusions. (500 words)

1. Justify the main advantages and disadvantages of each media source?
2. Evaluate which sources were the most useful in answering the questions and why?
3. Justify which sources did you prefer and why?
4. Explain which source did you least like using and why?
5. Justify which sources will you likely use again in future research?

 

 

Assessment Criteria

 

This assignment requires you to demonstrate your ability to analyse and to apply the theory to the case study material.

 

The analysis must be supported by academic theories and concepts and the paper must comply with the academic report format and the Harvard Referencing guidelines. The reflection must not be descriptive in nature; it should provide clear evidence of understanding of the issues under consideration.

 

There is no correct number of academic references to be utilised, as the student must draw as many references as required to provide a high quality answer. However, a minimum of 12 academic sources are expected, and a majority of these should be current, internationally peer reviewed articles/journals or accredited textbook references. Sources such as Wikipedia and the like are not accepted. Sources available only online should be avoided.

 

You must be mindful of how marks are allocated based on your ability to define, analyse and apply the key concepts. The chart below demonstrates how the marks (in percentages) will be allocated according to the criteria shown.

 

 

You will notice that without any application or understanding you may struggle to pass the module and note that the majority of the weighting in the marks is on analysis. Similarly, if you only demonstrated understanding and application the highest mark that you could achieve is 50%.

 

Specific Module Guidance

 

To achieve a pass level mark you must ensure that you describe and then apply relevant research, ethical and economic theories and frameworks to your report. This will require secondary research. Your work will be referenced according to the Harvard Referencing System and will be in an academic report format.

 

To achieve higher marks, in addition to the requirements to achieve a pass mark, you will need to make informed comparisons between the sources you have used and provide a reflection on how these may aid you in your future personal development and performance in your place of work and academic study. The analysis will be very well applied and will rely heavily for support on current literature.

 

Marking Guide

 

• Student identifies key issues and theories relating to tobacco market sector in a generic context.
  • Maximum marks 25
• Student analyses the key issues and theories relating to the sources used to understand the tobacco market sector in relation to the case study.
  • Maximum marks 25
• Student summarises the key issues and theories relating to the sources used. Plus, sets out a recommendation for future strategy(s).
  • Maximum marks 25 for the conclusion plus maximum marks five for the recommendation.
• Student provides both a Reference list and Bibliography to the Harvard Reference System.
  • Maximum marks 10
• Student produces an appropriate formal academic report format including the use of appropriate language with emphasis on the quality of syntax, grammar and spelling.
  • Maximum marks 10